Breakfast In Bed!

     What can I do on a Saturday morning to put my wife and family back in their proper place in my priorities?  Clearly, I am the person that continues to forget.  This tends to be the case during weeks full of  things that scream for my attention.  No excuses, priority is priority!  I must not neglect my God, my wife, or my family!  So this morning, I decided to listen to the voice of my wife from weeks past... "How about breakfast in bed?"  Sure, it was her idea, we regularly and freely communicate each others needs.  But I must confess here that I am usually the one who forgets,  and as a result have to constantly re-prioritize!  It's a weakness that I must work on!  

     Dr. Larry Crabb in his book Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference, writes that our #1 enemy in marriage is self-centeredness and therefore other-centeredness is the goal!  Interestingly enough, Paul says it this way, "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies" (Ephesians 5:28 NIV), and in Mark 12, Jesus commands us to love other... how?  as thyself!  So other-centered living, though not a natural way of life in our culture, is what we need to keep in the front of our minds and hearts.  

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     I rose this morning to God's new mercy and first spent time with Him, then prepared a nice breakfast for my wife to enjoy in bed!  Cream of wheat and buttered toast were the special of the day, served on a cooking pan.... you know, because we don't have a tray.  It took me longer to clean up the mess I made in the microwave than to actually prepare the meal.  Afterwards, I prepared a second order made for a Princess!  I need to set the standard for what a man and husband should be in the life of my daughter!  Hopefully, this will ensure that no scummy low-life.........nevermind!  :)   So both my girls got breakfast in bed this morning.  And as for my son, he got his ever-desired Chocolate Milk .... with extra chocolate!     

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     I am quite sure that I will get my priorities out of line again, but there will always be a repentance and re-calibration of priorities to position my God, my wife, and my family at the top of my time and attention!   In addition, I must always face the fact that the tendency towards self-centered living is ever before me and consistently work to get out of the rut and think of others!  Thanks be unto God for His mercy and grace!  We all should be free to extend mercy and grace to others!  Love does cover a MULTITUDE of sin!  

A Hedge For My Family!

     Many times, I have said to my kids, "I may not always guarantee your happiness, but you can guarantee I will always do my utmost to keep you safe!"  Protection for my kids is one of my top priorities, and I am always cognisant of the fact that I, as father, have a primary responsibility in this.  While still living in a world where tragedy often knocks at the door of "good people," there has to be something I can do to give my utmost for the safety and protection of my children! 

     Job's story in the Bible is often related to human suffering, but as I read his story, I find that had the test of his character not been allowed by God, this story looks completely different.  Job lived a life before God in such a way that He (God) had all things covered or better said.... hedged!  He was doing a great job of keeping his kids safe! 

   Check out this short exerpt from my last sermon! 

Dad Welcomes His Wife & Family Home... Service Style!

My family returns home today from Tennessee and I have to work late.   I want my wife to know I love her and to come home to no stress, so I have done a little cleaning.  Acts of Service is a Love Language that speaks highly to some spouses.  While my wife is not primarily an Acts of Service person, she does appreciate my service at times.  I appreciate her "services" as well!  Maybe soon, I'll get to enjoy those?!!  :) 

Video Credits:  Special Thanks to Dr. Gary Chapman and his book "The 5 Love Languages."

Order in the Home!

    My recent studies in the Scripture concerning the Presence of God have lead me to revisit a Word our Church received in January concerning "Order."  At this point, I am not completely clear on how order fits into a pursuit of the Presence of God, but I find it interesting that when the angel visited Zechariah with an announcement of a son, Zechariah was executing the Priest's office .... (you guessed it) in ORDER.. (Luke 1:8).        When pondering order in the home specifically, I must know God's design for such.  A knowledge of God's design for my home followed by my obedience to operate in the order that He has set forth in Scripture will align me to receive all God has for my family, and (I am hoping) to maintain a sweet environment of His Presence here with us!  Is this not a goal for every home?  

Kingdom Rock... Professor Joey, Here to Serve!

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    This week has been a full week for sure!  VBS nightly from 6:00-9:00 (toothache on top of that, but please ignore my complaining!). The interesting thing is....  I find myself full!   I have made it a focus to bless kids and pray for their families, and I have had a blast doing so.  The children have been great and very participatory, and their smiling faces causes joy to fill my spirit.  My service would not be complete, however, without the great team of people with which I have walked this week, Professor Richard, Professor Tim and "the Minions,"  (said in a thick French accent..) Austin & Maria.   I just love to walk with God's people!   So looking forward to this evening and the final night of VBS, I hope to capture all I can of the moment I have been given to walk with the finest team and to bless kids and their families so that their lives are eternally impacted! 

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Our team in the Imagination Station at Kingdom Rock with some kids from the First Grade Group. 

Our Independence Day Weekend!

   I so wished I would have caught the shot where my daughter awakens my dad with whipped cream, that would have solidified the humor in this compilation! Oh well!

   I count it a blessing to raise my family in this great country.  Pondering our nation's independence, I can't help but appreciate those who devoted and gave their lives for the cause, "One Nation, Under God!"  May God continue to bless those who serve this great nation as we continue to live in the fruit of their labors, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  God Bless and keep the USA!  

    Hope you and your families had a great Independence Day weekend!   

Special Thanks for the music to: 

Kevin MacLeod, who produced Big Rock, which is licensed under a CC Attribution 3.0.
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100305.